The confrontation took place when locals resisted Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s order for the unrestricted movement of all vehicles in Manipur from today.
One person was reported to have been killed, and 27 security personnel injured after members of the Kuki-Zo community engaged with security personnel along the Imphal-Dimapur highway, security sources informed India Today TV.
The violence had erupted as locals had defied Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s order for permitting free movement of all vehicles in Manipur, including Kuki and Meitei areas, from today. Following the escalation of tensions in Kangpokpi district, especially along National Highway 2, the local authorities have clamped a curfew, sources said.
Earlier during the day, the security personnel had to resort to tear gas shells in an attempt to disperse agitated protesters, who had vandalized a bus and blocked NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur highway) by burning tyres to restrict the movement of government vehicles.
Around 10 am, buses heading to the hill districts of Churachandpur and Senapati left Imphal airport empty, accompanied by a huge convoy of central forces, comprising army personnel, officials said. The bus heading to Churachandpur passed through Bishnupur district and arrived at its destination, Kangvai, safely, an official informed India Today TV.
Conversely, the bus headed to Senapati via Kangpokpi faced no hindrances or blockades until Kanglatongbi in Imphal West district. The violence started when a public transport bus was halted by a group of Kukis, and protests grew against the state government’s declaration of public bus services between Manipur’s valley and hill districts.
Security personnel clashed with protesters, who torched private vehicles, burned tyres, and obstructed roads. The deceased protestor, 30-year-old Sehkholen Singshit, received bullet wounds in the Keithelmanbi area of Kangpokpi. Protestors who were injured were shifted to nearby public health centres.
At the same time, Kuki-Zo community members were also protesting against a peaceful march organized by a Meitei organization, the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS).
The procession was halted half way by security personnel at Sekmai before reaching the destination in Senapati district. After representatives of the Meitei organisation quoted Shah’s order permitting unobstructed movement of vehicles, the security personnel averred that they hadn’t obtained permission.
